Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 1184)
The Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone was created and designated pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916, also known as the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 8748, and the Presidential Proclamation No. 1184 issued on December 7, 2006.
The President of the Republic of the Philippines has the authority to create and designate special economic zones pursuant to the powers vested by Republic Act No. 7916 and its amendments.
The Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone includes the land and bay areas incorporating the Wallace Air Station, San Fernando Airport, Seaport, Barangays Poro and San Vicente, and portions of Barangays San Agustin, San Francisco, and Canaoay of the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union, covering approximately 800 hectares subject to survey and verification by DENR.
The Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone was initially created under Presidential Proclamation No. 216 dated July 27, 1993, by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The recommendation was made by the Board of Directors of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
The zone includes components of industrial estate, export processing zone, agro-industrial estate, tourism and recreational areas, free trade zone, and information technology park.
The zone operates under the provisions of Republic Act No. 7916, as amended, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and PEZA Board Resolution No. 06-205 dated May 11, 2006.
Areas reclaimed from the adjoining shores of Poro Point are included within the territory of the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone.
Republic Act No. 7227, the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, facilitated the transfer of lands from former military bases, including Wallace Air Station, to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which enabled the conversion of these areas into economic zones like Poro Point.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is responsible for the actual survey and verification of the land area covered by the zone.